Join us this Sunday
10:00 a.m. Service:   A Personal Covenant. My ordination vows were strongly influenced by our affirmation of faith.  I will share my vows, and offer an opportunity for you to consider what your own vow to life might look like.  The Rev. Catherine Coates, Guest Speaker.  
Catherine Coates is a member of this church, and a newly ordained interfaith minister.  Interfaith ministers work to create bridges between religions, traditions, and the people who espouse them—without making a claim that one way has supremacy.

11:15 a.m. Drop-in Discussion:  Weeds Are Our Friends, Part II.  By request, Kate Fleury brings in more "discoveries" from her backyard that are edible, or useful, from the "end-of-summer" season.
 
Upcoming Events
Monthly Food Ingathering - August 13

Consider donating a non-perishable food item this Sunday, August 13th.  The Community Food Cupboard is in need of low sodium and low sugar items. Thank you for your continued support of this important community resource!

NEW:  Laundry detergent, diapers, and personal care products are always needed as well!
Train for RAIHN* - August 23

During the week of September 24-October 1, First Universalist will become a home for temporarily homeless families. We will turn church classrooms into guest rooms, serve meals, entertain children, stay overnight, and make families feel welcome and secure.


Interested in helping? Attend an orientation session on Wednesday, August 23, 6:30-8:30 PM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 43 Gebhardt Rd, Penfield. RSVP to Jen Canning,  coordinator@raihn.org or 506-9050. Questions? Ask Chris DeGolyer, Marti Eggers, or Sarah Singal after the Sunday service.

*Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network: helping homeless families achieve sustainable independence
Summer Exercise for September 10th Ingathering & Water Communion
green_leaf_water_drop.jpg

We’ll be starting off the new church year with water communion with a twist. This year we’re not asking you to bring water from anywhere, but instead to spend this last half of summer paying attention to water, in all the ways it comes into your life. Whether it’s rain drops, the St. Lawrence River, or water from your kitchen faucet, watch it.  Listen to it.  Pay attention to what you smell, feel, taste.  Then come and share with us one thing that you are especially grateful for. This service will be intergenerational, so kids, you need to pay attention to water too!
Additional Announcements

CNY CLUSTER REVIVAL:  The Central New York Cluster of UU churches will hold a gathering at May Memorial UU Society, in Syracuse, on August 12th, from 10-4. UU's from all central NY congregations are welcome. This will be a time to see friends, network around important issues of our faith, be inspired to meet the challenges ahead and HAVE FUN!  Bring a dish to pass for the potluck picnic as well as outdoor games. For more information or to register, click here.


POSITION AVAILABLE:  Our Office Administrator will be out on maternity leave at the end of October and we are looking for someone to fill in for about eight weeks, starting around Oct 8, 2017. The job is 25 hours per week, from Tuesday to Friday. Please e-mail office@uuroc.org for a copy of the job description.  Resume, references and a cover letter should be send to to office@uuroc.org.  Interviews will take place in September. Please note:  Members of First Universalist Church are not eligible to apply.


The DROP-IN DISCUSSION on GENDER INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE previously scheduled for August 6 has been moved to August 20.


LIBRARY SUMMER SCHEDULE:  The church library and bookstore will be closed until Sept. 10 so as not to get in the way of the renovation of the Clara Barton room. But feel free to take reading material from the free books box, the free magazine exchange rack and the free children's book shelf.


SOCKS &TOWELS SUMMER DONATIONS:  "Homeless Heartbeats" (formerly called Homelessness Task Force) is collecting: SOCKS and TOWELS (used OR new) for footwashing at House of Mercy. There, our own Kate Fleury joins others in washing the feet of those who walk the streets. A soothing foot wash makes such a difference ... for health as well as comfort. Let's help out!  Please donate as you are able:
* Socks and/or Towels (used OR new) ~ any size, any color
* Clara Barton Lounge ~ place in box labeled for this drive
* We will collect all summer long.  HH members will deliver your donations directly to the new House of Mercy on Ormond Street.
Your compassion is greatly appreciated! 

~Lois Baum, Chair

Homeless Heartbeats (formerly Homelessness Task Force)
To submit an item for "This Week at First Universalist", e-mail  office@uuroc.org no later than Thursday at noon.  
Staff:

Peter House, Summer  Minister

Rev. Michelle Yates, Director of Life Span Faith Development

Stacey Yang, Director of Music

Melissa Davies, Office Administrator
150 S. Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14604 | (585) 546-2826 | office@uuroc.org